How do you get kids in a day care to listen to you?

I work in a day care and the kids there don't listen to me when I tell them not to do something. I tryed to tell them why they shouldn't do the thing they are doing wrong. For example if they where standing on the table.I'd say something like "bobby get off the table" and "bobby" wont get off,so I say "bobby get off your gonna hurt your self if you fall" he still wont get off. Any ideas to get them to listen to me?

Public Comments

1. put them on time out


2. The best way is to distract them with something else instead of giving a command. "Bobby, come help me with this puzzle" will get more results than telling them to do or not do something. Since you are not mom, dad, etc. they are testing their boundaries with you. If that doesn't work, then speak to the parent's and ask how they handle these types of situations at home to get you on the same page. Good luck!


3. Threatening them by saying you'll call their parents. They usually get freaked out by that.


4. Be sure to praise the good behavior of other children. How do they get to the point where they're standing on the table in the first place? You need to be firm whether or not you want to be. You could talk to kids individually, but also say, "I really like the way Ashley is playing with the blocks and sharing. Bobby, look at how nicely Ashley is playing. Go see if she needs any help." If "Bobby" consistently climbs onto the table, talk to his parents and see what's going on at home and what they do when he tries this at home. This might be a sign that you need more structure for your kids in the daycare setting.


5. Time out is crap. If you want their attention, whisper. Seriously, yelling doesn't work. Walk over to Bobby and whisper in his little ear, "Bobby, get off of the table now. If you don't, you'll either fall off or I'll have to call your parents at work. Which one will it be, Bobby?"


6. Don't shout across the room at them...move over to 'Bobby' and make eye contact. Don't sound stressed, keep your voice low and calm.


7. Any person who calls themselves a depressed loser does not have the mental stability to work with children.


8. for one thing try a reward and punishment system.. if he doesn't get off the table give him a time out or a note home with his parents... if they do do as they are told do something fun with them and reward them.... in a kindergarten room they has a system where when the class was good they would have marbels or something(i wouldn't suggest marbles around day care kiddies) in a jar and when it gets full after the kiddies are really good they get prizes................. or a star system, they get stickers or stars by their name if they are good, get to and x number of stars and they get a prize...........................................................of course those only work if the children are routinely there.... if they aren't i cant think of much to do but bribes sorta, prizes at the end of the day if they are good...................................................... and considering i said lot bout prizes i suggest : ice cream if its allowed(sugers not genneraly a good idea though soo) , and little toys, maby doller store barbies for the girls and trucks for the boys........................................... logic doesn't work to well with little kids so try not using long winded reasons they shouldn't do as they are doing, keep em short ........., ,,,, it almost sounds like the kids are getting the better of you so make sure you dont stress and they know your in charge, and want to please you.................(dont go monster rules on em)


9. Kids are smarter than we take them for and they can sense things that you think they cannot. For instance if you tell them something and they don't listen it is cause they can probably pick up a sense of lack of authority in you. You got to show you mean "business", now I don't mean being threating or anything. Just got to be saying things like, get down by the count of three and count. If the kid still does not listen, go and take the child off the table and put him on a chair that is a time out chair and tell him he can get off and play again if he has learned to listen to you. It takes a lot of patience. You got to praise good behaviour too, like giving them a sticker that they would enjoy :) Eventually they will respond to your authority and will listen!